JP2021171085A - Electric pot - Google Patents

Abstract

To suppress erroneous detection of ebullition by a steam sensor, and which delays the outflow of hot water when turned over, in an electric pot of the steam-less specification.SOLUTION: An electric pot includes: an internal container; an electric heater; a container body for storing the internal container and the electric heater, and having an opening part at an upper part; and a lid body 3 for sealing the opening part of the container body. Inside the lid body 3, a steam introduction path 10a and a steam cooling path 11a are provided, and a steam sensor is provided in the middle of the steam introduction path 10a. The lid body 3 includes: an internal cover 33 which constitutes a lower end of the lid body 3, and in which introduction holes 33a, 33b are formed for introducing steam from a water surface to the lid body 3; and a lower plate 32 positioned on an upper side of the internal cover 33, and for supporting the internal cover 33. The steam introduction path 10a is formed by a space between the internal cover 33 and the lower plate 32, and an intermediate plate 34 is provided for forming a detour path of the steam between the internal cover 33 and the lower plate 32.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 9

Description

The present invention relates to an electric pot technique.

In the so-called steamless electric kettle in which the amount of steam released is reduced, a configuration in which a steam path is provided in the upper lid and a steam sensor is provided in the middle of the steam path has been conventionally adopted. In such an electric kettle, the steam path from the water surface where steam is generated to the steam sensor is in the order of the water surface, the steam introduction hole formed on the lower surface of the lid, the steam path formed inside the lid, and the steam sensor. It has become.

An electric kettle having such a configuration is characterized in that there are few members that block steam in the middle of the steam path, and the generated steam quickly reaches the steam sensor, so that the steam detection speed is excellent. However, when the whole hot water is not sufficiently warmed, that is, when the water in the pot has not yet boiled and suddenly high pressure steam is generated from the water surface, the steam sensor falsely detects boiling. There was a case. Further, in such a conventional electric kettle, when the electric kettle is overturned, hot water may leak to the outside in a short time through the steam path.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2015-134292

The present invention has been made in view of the current problems, and in a steamless electric kettle, it suppresses erroneous detection of boiling by a steam sensor and prevents hot water from flowing out of the electric kettle in the event of a fall. It is intended to provide an electric kettle that can be delayed.

The problem to be solved by the present invention is as described above, and next, the means for solving this problem will be described.

That is, the electric pot according to the present invention houses the inner container for storing hot water, the heating means for heating the inner container, the inner container and the heating means, and has an opening at the top, and the container main body. A lid body for sealing the opening of the container is provided, and a steam introduction path in which at least one end opens toward the opening of the container body and steam communicating with the steam introduction path are cooled inside the lid body. In addition to providing a steam cooling path for the steam introduction path, a steam sensor is provided in the middle of the steam introduction path, and the opening of the container body is sealed by the lid, and the inner container is connected to the steam introduction path. The introduced steam is configured to be detectable by the steam sensor, and the steam condensed in the steam cooling path is configured to be recoverable in the inner container, and the lid constitutes the lower end of the lid. An inner cover having an introduction hole for introducing steam from the water surface into the lid and a lower plate located above the inner cover and supporting the inner cover are provided, and the steam introduction path is defined as described above. A middle plate is provided between the inner cover and the lower plate, which is formed by a space between the inner cover and the lower plate, and forms a steam detour route between the inner cover and the lower plate.

With such a configuration, the sudden vapor pressure can be buffered by the detour path formed by the middle plate, and it is possible to make it difficult to reach the vapor sensor. As a result, erroneous detection of boiling can be prevented, and the detection accuracy of the boiling state can be improved. In addition, it is possible to delay the outflow of hot water when the product falls.

Further, in the electric kettle according to the present invention, it is preferable that the middle plate is provided with a through hole through which steam passes, and at least one of the introduction holes is arranged at a position where it does not overlap with the through hole in a plan view.

With such a configuration, the introduction hole of the inner cover and the through hole of the middle plate are arranged so as not to overlap in a plan view, so that a vapor pressure buffer area can be provided between the inner cover and the middle plate. can. This makes it possible to prevent erroneous detection of the steam sensor due to a sudden increase in vapor pressure.

Further, the electric pot according to the present invention is provided with a steam storage portion capable of storing steam at a position higher than the middle plate inside the lid body, and the middle plate is provided with the steam storage portion and the through hole. It is preferable to provide a steam opening hole for communicating with the steam.

With such a configuration, it is possible to prevent natural discharge during boiling while maintaining the compactness of the product.

Further, in the electric pot according to the present invention, it is preferable that the open end of the steam opening hole to the steam storage portion is provided above the lower end surface of the middle plate.

With such a configuration, even when the water is full, the open end of the steam opening hole on the steam storage portion side is not flooded, so that the vapor pressure can be reliably released.

Further, in the electric pot according to the present invention, it is preferable to provide a detour wall inside the lid body to prevent direct communication between the steam storage portion and the steam introduction path.

With such a configuration, the detour wall can further delay the outflow of hot water from the lid at the time of a fall.

Further, in the electric pot according to the present invention, the middle plate is provided with a downward wall portion projecting toward the inner cover and an upward wall portion projecting toward the lower plate, and the downward wall portion is provided. However, it is preferable that a part of the detour route between the inner cover and the middle plate is formed, and the upward wall portion forms a part of the detour route between the middle plate and the lower plate.

With such a configuration, the steam introduction path can be extended by the downward wall portion and the upward wall portion. Thereby, the steam detection accuracy can be further improved.

As the effect of the present invention, the following effects are exhibited.

According to the electric pot according to the present invention, by providing a middle plate for diverting steam in the steam path inside the lid, steam of high pressure is suddenly generated from the water surface in a situation where the entire hot water is not sufficiently warmed. Even in this case, the sudden vapor pressure can be buffered by a detour path formed by the middle plate to make it difficult to reach the vapor sensor. As a result, erroneous detection of boiling can be prevented, and the detection accuracy of the boiling state can be improved. Further, by providing the middle plate, it is possible to delay the outflow of hot water when the product falls.

The perspective view which shows the whole structure of the electric pot which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. The front view which shows the whole structure of the electric pot which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line AA in FIG. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line BB in FIG. The perspective view which shows the upper part of the lid body. The perspective view which shows the lower part of the lid body. Front view of the lid. Right side view of the lid. FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line CC in FIG. FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line DD in FIG. A perspective view showing the lower side of the lid with the inner cover removed. A perspective view showing the lower side of the lid with the middle plate removed. Explanatory drawing of the lower plate. The figure which shows the inner cover, (A) bottom view, (B) top view. A view showing an inner cover, (A) a side view, and (B) a sectional view taken along line EE in FIG. 14 (A). The figure which shows the middle plate, (A) bottom view, (B) top view. A view showing a middle plate, (A) a right side view, and (B) a sectional view taken along line FF in FIG. 16 (A). A view showing a middle plate, (A) a perspective view seen from above, and (B) a perspective view seen from below. Schematic diagram of a partially enlarged cross section around the through hole formed in the middle plate. Schematic diagram of a partially enlarged cross section around the steam reservoir.

[Overall configuration of electric pot]
FIG. 1 shows an electric kettle 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The electric kettle 1 has a so-called steamless specification in which the amount of steam released to the outside is reduced, so that the generated steam can be condensed (droplet) and kept inside the electric kettle 1. It is configured. For convenience of explanation, the electric kettle 1 is defined in the front-rear direction, the left-right direction, and the up-down direction as shown by the arrows shown in FIG. Further, in the following description and in each drawing other than FIG. 1, the description of front, rear, left, right, top, bottom, etc. is that each part constituting the electric kettle 1 is in a predetermined position when the electric kettle 1 is used. The orientation is shown based on the state of being assembled in.

As shown in FIG. 1, the electric kettle 1 is a cooking utensil having both a water heater and a heat retaining function, and includes a container body 2 and a lid 3.

Further, as shown in FIGS. 1 to 4, the electric kettle 1 has an electric heater 4 which is a heating means for heating the inside of the container main body 2 at the time of boiling water and at the time of heat retention, and the hot water inside is outside the hot water outlet 5. It houses a hot water supply passage (not shown) for pouring hot water into the hot water supply passage and an electric hot water supply pump 6 for pouring hot water inside through the hot water supply passage to the outside. Further, the electric kettle 1 is provided with an operation unit 7 on an inclined surface in front of the upper surface of the container body 2.

The electric pot 1 shown in the present embodiment can be electrically poured by operating the hot water supply pump 6 in response to the operation of the operation unit 7, and is also a manual pump for manually pouring hot water in the lid 3. No. 8 is provided, and it is possible to manually pour hot water without connecting the AC power supply.

The manual pump 8 is composed of a pressing member 8a, a bellows 8b, an expansion / contraction member 8c, a spring member 8d, and the like. The lower part of the manual pump 8 communicates with the through hole 34a described later, and by pushing the pressing member 8a downward, the air in the bellows 8b is sent into the inner container 22 through the through hole 34a, and the inner container 22 is used. It is configured so that hot water can be poured manually by pressurizing the inside. The pressing member 8a is supported by the telescopic member 8c so as to be reciprocating in the vertical direction, and the spring member 8d constantly applies a spring force that displaces in the upward direction.

The electric kettle 1 includes a switching lever 15 for switching the pouring method to an electric type or a manual type, and an indicator 16 for displaying the switching state of the switching lever 15. Further, in the present embodiment, the electric kettle 1 capable of switching the pouring method to the electric type or the manual type is illustrated, but the electric kettle according to the present invention has a configuration in which the pouring method can be switched. It does not have to be, and the pouring method may be either an electric type or a manual type.

[Container body]
As shown in FIGS. 1 to 4, the container body 2 includes a tubular outer case 21 made of a steel plate forming an outer surface portion, an inner container 22 forming an inner side surface portion, and an outer case 21 and an inner container 22. It is integrally bonded and fixed on the upper side, and is composed of an annular shoulder member 23 made of synthetic resin to which the lid 3 is attached when the lid is closed, and a dish-shaped bottom member 24 made of synthetic resin constituting the bottom surface portion. ing. An opening 2a is formed at the upper end of the container body 2. The outer case 21 of the electric kettle 1 shown in the present embodiment is made of steel plate, but the tubular outer case of the electric kettle according to the present invention may be made of either steel plate or synthetic resin.

Further, the container body 2 is provided with a handle portion 25 to be gripped when carrying the electric kettle 1 and a confirmation window 26 for confirming the amount of water in the inner container 22.

In the inner container 22, a stainless steel bottomed cylindrical inner cylinder 22a and a stainless steel bottomless cylindrical outer cylinder 22b are joined to each other at the upper end side portion and the lower end side portion, and the inner cylinders thereof are joined to each other. It is composed of a heat insulating structure having a vacuum double wall structure having high heat retention performance in which a vacuum heat insulating space is provided between the 22a and the outer cylinder 22b, and a plate portion 22c is formed at the bottom thereof. The plate portion 22c is formed so as to project upward, and an electric heater 4 is attached to the lower surface side thereof.

[Cover]
As shown in FIGS. 1 to 4, the lid 3 is arranged at a position that closes the opening 2a of the container body 2, and is vertically formed at the rear end of the shoulder member 23 via the hinge pin 35 and the hinge lock member 36. It is supported so that it can be opened and closed and can be attached and detached. The lid 3 is arranged at a predetermined use position in which the opening 2a is sealed by engaging the claw portion 14 with the shoulder member 23, and the inner container 22 and the lid 3 form a hot water storage space. By pulling up the opening / closing lever 13 arranged on the upper part of the lid 3, the engagement of the claw portion 14 with the shoulder member 23 is released, and the lid 3 can be opened / closed and detached.

As described above, the electric kettle 1 houses the inner container 22 for storing hot water, the electric heater 4 which is a heating means for heating the inner container 22, the inner container 22 and the electric heater 4, and has an opening 2a at the upper part. A main body 2 and a lid 3 for sealing the opening 2a of the container main body 2 are provided.

Further, as shown in FIGS. 5 to 10, the lid 3 includes a synthetic resin upper plate 31 and a synthetic resin lower plate 32 in which the outer peripheral edges are mutually bonded to the upper plate 31. ing. The lid 3 is provided with an inner cover 33 that covers the lower part of the lower plate 32 below the lower plate 32. The lid 3 constitutes a part of the steam introduction path 10a described later by the gap formed between the lower plate 32 and the inner cover 33.

Further, in the lid body 3, the middle plate 34 is provided between the lower plate 32 and the inner cover 33. The middle plate 34 is arranged in a space formed between the lower plate 32 and the inner cover 33 to partition the space, forms a detour route in a part of the steam introduction path 10a described later, and forms the steam introduction path. It plays a role of extending the path length of 10a.

Further, a steam introduction member 10 and a steam cooling member 11 are arranged in the space between the upper plate 31 and the lower plate 32 inside the lid body 3. The steam introduction member 10 is a member for guiding the steam introduced into the lid 3 to the steam cooling member 11, and forms a steam introduction path 10a together with the lower plate 32. The steam introduction path 10a is a path for guiding the steam generated in the inner container 22 to the steam cooling member 11, and communicates the through hole 34a, which will be described later, with the steam cooling path 11a.

The steam cooling member 11 is a member for cooling and condensing the steam generated in the inner container 22, and a steam cooling path 11a for cooling the steam is formed inside. The steam cooling path 11a communicates with the steam introduction path 10a. The steam cooling path 11a is formed in a meandering manner inside the steam cooling member 11, and the path length is secured. Then, the steam flowing through the steam cooling path 11a is heat-exchanged (cooled) with the space outside the steam cooling member 11 and condensed (dropletized).

Then, in the electric kettle 1, the condensed water generated in the steam cooling path 11a is transferred from the introduction holes 33a, 33b, 33c formed in the inner cover 33 to the inner container 22 via the steam cooling path 11a and the steam introduction path 10a. It is configured to return.

Further, inside the lid body 3, a steam detection space 10b is formed in the middle of the steam introduction path 10a. The steam sensor 12 is inserted into the steam detection space 10b through the opening 32f formed in the side plate portion 32b. The electric kettle 1 is configured so that it can detect that water is boiling in the inner container 22 by detecting the steam that has reached the steam detection space 10b through the steam introduction path 10a with the steam sensor 12. ing.

The electric kettle 1 is configured to reduce the output of the electric heater 4 when the steam sensor 12 detects the steam that has reached the steam detection space 10b. With such a configuration, the electric kettle 1 suppresses unnecessary heating after boiling, reduces power consumption, and suppresses the amount of steam generated.

[Construction of lower plate]
As shown in FIG. 13, the lower plate 32 has a substantially dish-shaped shape, and includes a bottom plate portion 32a and a side plate portion 32b. The bottom plate portion 32a is formed with a hole portion 32c through which the lower end portion of the manual pump 8 is inserted and a substantially ring-shaped wall portion 32d surrounding the hole portion 32c. Further, a notch portion 32e is formed on the front side of the wall portion 32d.

Further, the rear side plate portion 32b is formed with an opening 32f for inserting the steam sensor 12 inside the lower plate 32. A rectangular annular packing 37 is provided on the inner circumference of the opening 32f (see FIGS. 9 and 10). Further, on the lower surface of the bottom plate portion 32a, a recess 32g forming a part of the steam storage portion 50 (see FIGS. 10, 11, and 20) described later and a screw hole 32h for screwing the screw 40 are formed. Has been done.

[Inner cover configuration]
The inner cover 33 is a substantially dish-shaped member formed by pressing and punching a metal plate, and as shown in FIGS. 14 and 15, has a plurality of (total of 5 through holes in this embodiment) through holes. Certain introduction holes 33a, 33b, 33c are formed. In the lid body 3, the opening area in which the required amount of steam can be introduced is secured by the total opening areas of the five introduction holes 33a, 33b, and 33c.

The first introduction hole 33a is formed on the lower end surface of the inner cover 33, and is formed at a position overlapping the through hole 34a formed in the middle plate 34 in a plan view (see FIG. 6).

The second introduction hole 33b is formed on the lower end surface of the inner cover 33, and is formed at a position that does not overlap with the through hole 34a formed in the middle plate 34 in a plan view. The third introduction hole 33c is formed at three positions on the inclined outer peripheral side surface of the inner cover 33. The second and third introduction holes 33b and 33c are formed at positions that do not overlap with the middle plate 34 in a plan view (outside of the detour wall 34k described later).

The screw hole 33d formed on the lower end surface of the inner cover 33 is a hole for inserting the screw 40 for fastening the inner cover 33 to the lower plate 32, and is a hole for inserting the screw 40 on the lower end surface of the inner cover 33. It is formed in three places. The inner cover 33 is supported from the lower plate 32 by a screw 40 screwed into the lower plate 32.

[Composition of middle plate]
The middle plate 34 is a member located below the lower plate 32 and above the inner cover 33, and together with the lower plate 32 and the inner cover 33, constitutes a part of the steam introduction path 10a. As shown in FIGS. 16 to 18, the middle plate 34 has a substantially circular and plate-like shape, and a through hole 34a for allowing steam to flow is formed in the vicinity of the center.

On one side surface (lower surface) of the middle plate 34, a substantially ring-shaped first wall portion 34b facing downward is provided so as to surround the through hole 34a. Further, a notch portion 34c is formed on the front side of the first wall portion 34b. Further, on one side surface (lower surface) of the middle plate 34, a substantially ring-shaped downward second wall portion 34d that surrounds the first wall portion 34b is projected. Further, a notch portion 34e is formed on the rear side of the second wall portion 34d.

Further, on the other side surface (upper surface) of the middle plate 34, a substantially ring-shaped upward third wall portion 34f that surrounds the through hole 34a is projected. Further, a notch portion 34g is formed on the rear side of the third wall portion 34f.

Further, steam opening holes 34h and 34h, which are through holes having a substantially triangular cross section, are formed in the front portion of the middle plate 34. The upper end positions of the steam opening holes 34h and 34h are located above the lower end positions of the middle plate 34.

Then, the middle plate 34 is provided with a detour wall 34k projecting downward from one side surface (upper surface) so as to surround the outer periphery of the middle plate 34.

Further, in the middle plate 34, a screw hole 34 m for inserting a screw 41 for fastening the middle plate 34 to the lower plate 32 and a screw hole for inserting a screw 40 for fastening the inner cover 33 to the lower plate 32 are inserted. A plurality of 34n and each are formed. The middle plate 34 is supported from the lower plate 32 by a screw 41 screwed into the lower plate 32.

[Arrangement of introduction holes in the inner cover]
As shown in FIG. 6, in the inner cover 33 constituting the lid 3, the introduction hole 33a is provided at a position overlapping the through hole 34a in the plan view, and the introduction hole 33b. 33c is provided. That is, in the lid body 3, at least one introduction hole 33b / 33c is arranged at a position where it does not overlap with the through hole 34a in a plan view. The lid 3 may be configured to include only the introduction holes 33a arranged at positions overlapping the through holes 34a in a plan view.

That is, in the lid body 3, the introduction holes 33b and 33c of the inner cover 33 and the through holes 34a of the middle plate 34 are arranged so as not to overlap in a plan view, so that the vapor pressure is formed between the inner cover 33 and the middle plate 34. A buffer area can be provided. As a result, it is possible to prevent erroneous detection of the steam sensor 12 when bumping occurs in the inner container 22.

[Wall of lower plate]
As shown in FIGS. 9, 10 and 13, the lower plate 32 is formed with a wall portion 32d which is a vertical wall extending downward toward the middle plate 34. In the wall portion 32d, the steam introduced into the lid 3 from the introduction holes 33a, 33b, 33c flows directly toward the steam detection space 10b in which the steam sensor 12 is arranged immediately after passing through the through holes 34a. It hinders this and forms a detour route.

[Steam flow inside the lid]
As shown in FIGS. 11 and 19, in the electric kettle 1, the steam S generated in the inner container 22 first enters the inside of the lid 3 from the introduction holes 33a, 33b, 33c formed in the inner cover 33. Introduced in.

Since the first introduction hole 33a is formed at a position overlapping the through hole 34a of the middle plate 34 in a plan view, the steam introduced into the lid 3 from the introduction hole 33a quickly flows into the through hole 34a. do.

Since the second introduction hole 33b and the third introduction hole 33c are formed at positions that do not overlap with the through hole 34a of the middle plate 34 in a plan view, they are introduced into the lid 3 from the respective introduction holes 33b and 33c. The steam first passes through the steam opening hole 34h, then passes through the second wall portion 34d and the first wall portion 34b, and the detour path formed by the notch portions 34e and the notch portions 34c, respectively, and then through the through hole. It flows into 34a. That is, the steam introduced into the lid 3 from the introduction holes 33b and 33c flows into the through hole 34a later than the steam introduced into the lid 3 from the introduction holes 33a. Further, the steam introduced into the lid 3 from the introduction holes 33b and 33c has a weaker momentum during the detour than the steam introduced into the lid 3 from the introduction holes 33a.

In the through hole 34a, the steam introduced into the lid 3 from the introduction holes 33a, 33b, 33c merges, so that the steam introduced from the first introduction hole 33a has a momentum in the through hole 34a. It is weakened.

The steam that has flowed between the lower plate 32 and the middle plate 34 through the through hole 34a is then transferred by the wall portion 32d of the lower plate 32 and the third wall portion 34f of the middle plate 34, as shown in FIG. It is introduced into the enclosed space and flows out of the space through the notch 32e and the notch 34g located in front of the space.

The steam that has passed through the notch 32e and the notch 34g then makes a U-turn along the outer peripheral detour path formed by the wall 32d of the lower plate 32 and the third wall 34f of the middle plate 34. At that time, the momentum is further weakened. Then, the flow destination communicates with the steam introduction path 10a and the steam detection space 10b formed in the steam introduction member 10. Then, the steam flows into the steam cooling path 11a via the steam introduction path 10a and the steam detection space 10b.

Some steam generated from the water surface in the inner container 22 is generated by bumping while the water in the inner container 22 has not yet boiled. When the steam sensor 12 detects the steam generated by such bumping, it causes an erroneous detection that the water in the inner container 22 has boiled even though the water has not yet boiled.

In the electric pot 1, the wall portion 32d is provided on the lower plate 32 constituting the lid 3, and the middle plate 34 is provided between the lower plate 32 and the inner cover 33, so that the steam generated by bumping can be directly discharged from the steam sensor 12. By providing a detour path in the path from the through hole 34a to the steam sensor 12 to secure a longer path length, bumping into the steam detection space 10b in which the steam sensor 12 is arranged. It suppresses the arrival of steam generated by.

On the other hand, in the electric pot 1, when the water in the inner container 22 boils and steam is stably generated from the water surface, steam reaches the steam detection space 10b while being hindered by the wall portion 32d and the middle plate 34. When the water in the inner container 22 actually boils, the steam sensor 12 can reliably detect the boiling state.

That is, in the lid body 3, by providing the middle plate 34, the pressure of the steam when bumping occurs is buffered in the detour path formed by the middle plate 34, and the steam does not easily reach the steam sensor 12. be able to. As a result, it is possible to prevent erroneous detection of bumping as boiling, and it is possible to improve the detection accuracy of the boiling state.

Further, in the lid body 3, the first wall portion 34b and the second wall portion 34d, which are downward wall portions, form a part of a detour route between the inner cover 33 and the middle plate 34, and are upward. The third wall portion 34f, which is a wall portion, forms a part of the detour route between the middle plate 34 and the lower plate 32. Therefore, in the lid body 3, the steam introduction path 10a can be extended by the downward first and second wall portions 34b and 34d and the upward third wall portion 34f formed on the middle plate 34. As a result, the steam detection accuracy of the steam sensor 12 can be further improved.

[Steam reservoir]
As shown in FIGS. 10 and 20, the lid 3 has a steam storage portion 50 formed inside the lid 3. The steam storage unit 50 is a space in which steam introduced into the lid 3 from the inner container 22 can be stored, is located at a higher position than the middle plate 34, and is a through hole through the steam opening hole 34h. It communicates with 34a.

That is, in the electric kettle 1, a steam storage unit 50 capable of storing steam is provided at a position higher than the middle plate 34 inside the lid 3, and a steam opening hole 34h for communicating the steam storage unit 50 and the through hole 34a. Is provided.

Further, in the lid body 3, a steam opening hole 34h is formed in which the space between the inner cover 33 connected to the steam introduction path 10a and the middle plate 34 and the steam storage portion 50 communicate with each other. The steam opening hole 34h constitutes a steam opening path R that communicates the space between the inner cover 33 and the middle plate 34 and the steam storage portion 50. The steam opening holes 34h in the lid 3 are formed in the middle plate 34.

The steam storage unit 50 communicates with the space between the inner cover 33 and the middle plate 34 via the steam opening holes 34h and 34h, and further communicates with the through hole 34a and the steam introduction path 10a. ..

The end of the steam opening hole 34h on the steam storage portion 50 side is the upper end of the steam opening hole 34h and is opened above the lower end of the inner cover 33. In the electric kettle 1, the upper end of the steam opening hole 34h is located above the water surface even when the height of the water surface in the inner container 22 rises to a height that coincides with the lower end of the inner cover 33. Therefore, in the electric kettle 1, the communication state between the steam opening hole 34h and the steam introduction path 10a is maintained even when the water surface in the inner container 22 reaches the lower end of the inner cover 33.

When boiling water in the electric kettle 1, the water level in the inner container 22 rises at the time of boiling. Therefore, when the electric kettle 1 is boiled with the inner container 22 filled with water (a state in which water is filled up to the highest water level line), the water level at the time of boiling is higher than the lower end position of the inner cover 33. Will rise to.

In the electric kettle 1, by providing the steam opening holes 34h and 34h (steam opening path R) in the middle plate 34, even when the water level rises above the lower end position of the inner cover 33 at the time of boiling, the electric kettle 1 is provided. The state in which the steam storage unit 50 communicates with the through hole 34a is maintained. Further, even when the water is full, the open end of the steam opening hole 34h on the steam storage portion 50 side is not flooded, so that the vapor pressure can be reliably released.

If the middle plate 34 of the electric pot 1 is not provided with the steam opening holes 34h and 34h, and the water level rises above the lower end position of the inner cover 33 at the time of boiling, the steam in the steam storage section 50 There is no escape place, and the water (boiling hot water) in the inner container 22 is pressurized by the steam accumulated in the steam storage unit 50, and the hot water is unintentionally discharged from the hot water outlet 5.

That is, in the conventional electric kettle, when the water surface in the inner container is higher than the middle plate, a steam storage part is generated in the space surrounded by the lower plate and the water surface, the vapor pressure rises in the steam storage part, and the water surface is pushed down. , Natural discharge from the hot water outlet occurred along the discharge path. In the conventional electric kettle configuration, in order to prevent such natural hot water flow, it is necessary to lower the water surface than the middle plate, so it is necessary to increase the height of the inner container, and it is necessary to increase the size of the product. Was occurring.

On the other hand, in the electric kettle 1, at the time of boiling, the steam in the steam storage section 50 can be released to the steam introduction path 10a through the through hole 34a, and the water (boiling hot water) in the inner container 22 is pressurized. Since it is not necessary, it is possible to avoid the natural hot water from the hot water outlet 5. Moreover, there is no need to increase the size of the product. That is, in the electric kettle 1, it is possible to prevent natural discharge at the time of boiling water while maintaining the compactness of the product.

[Detour wall]
As shown in FIGS. 3, 4, 11 and 16 to 18, a detour wall 34k is formed on the middle plate 34 so as to surround the outer periphery thereof. A first wall portion 34b, a notch portion 34c, a second wall portion 34d, and a notch portion 34e are arranged inside the detour wall 34k.

If the electric kettle 1 falls, the water in the inner container 22 enters the inside of the lid 3 through the introduction holes 33a, 33b, 33c formed in the inner cover 33. The water that has entered the inside of the lid 3 through the introduction holes 33b and 33c then tries to flow along the gap between the inner cover 33 and the middle plate 34, but the detour wall 34k causes the inner cover 33 and the middle plate 34 to flow. Since the gap between the wall and the wall is small, the infiltration of water into the detour wall 34k is hindered.

Then, the water whose intrusion from the gap between the inner cover 33 and the middle plate 34 is blocked is eventually diverted to the steam opening hole 34h, and invades into the inside of the detour wall 34k from the steam opening hole 34h. Then, the water that has entered the inside of the detour wall 34k then enters the inside of the second wall portion 34d from the notch portion 34e. Further, the water that has entered the inside of the second wall portion 34d then enters the inside of the first wall portion 34b from the notch portion 34c.

Here, since the opening directions of the notch portions 34c and 34e are formed in different directions by 180 degrees in the front-rear direction, when water flows from the notch portion 34e toward the notch portion 34c, water is formed. Is detoured in a U-turn. That is, in the electric kettle 1, the detour wall 34k obstructs the direct communication between the steam storage unit 50 and the steam introduction path 10a.

That is, in the electric kettle 1, when the electric kettle 1 falls, a plurality of detour routes are formed from the inside of the inner container 22 until the water reaches the through hole 34a of the lid 3. It is configured so that it takes more time from the time when the electric kettle 1 falls down until the water leaks from the lid 3.

If the middle plate 34 is not provided with the detour wall 34k, when the electric kettle 1 falls, the water that has entered the inside of the lid 3 from the introduction holes 33a, 33b, 33c will be collected from the inner cover 33 and the middle plate. It flows along the gap with 34, immediately reaches the through hole 34a, and leaks to the outside in a short time through the steam introduction path 10a or the like.

On the other hand, in the electric kettle 1, since the detour wall 34k is provided in the middle plate 34, when the electric kettle 1 falls, the water that has entered the inside of the lid 3 through the introduction holes 33a, 33b, 33c is steam. Since it is bypassed so as to pass through the opening hole 34h, it takes time to reach the through hole 34a, and the outflow of hot water from the lid 3 at the time of a fall can be delayed.

That is, in the lid body 3, by providing the middle plate 34, it is possible to delay the outflow of hot water when the product falls.

Further, in the electric kettle 1, since the middle plate 34 is provided with the wall portions 34b / 34d and the notch portions 34c / 34e, the water is diverted by the wall portions 34b / 34d and the water is more passed through the hole 34a. It is difficult to reach. Therefore, in the electric kettle 1, the water in the inner container 22 is less likely to leak to the outside at the time of falling, and the outflow of hot water from the lid 3 at the time of falling can be further delayed.

1 Electric kettle 2 Container body 2a Opening 3 Lid 4 Electric heater (heating means)
10a Steam introduction path 11a Steam cooling path 12 Steam sensor 22 Inner container 32 Lower plate 33 Inner cover 33a Introduction hole 33b Introduction hole 33c Introduction hole 34 Middle plate 34a Through hole 34h Steam opening hole 34b First wall part (downward wall part)
34d 2nd wall (downward wall)
34f 3rd wall (upward wall)
34k detour wall 50 steam storage

Claims (6)

Inner container for hot water storage and
A heating means for heating the inner container and
A container body that houses the inner container and heating means and has an opening at the top,
A lid that seals the opening of the container body and
With
Inside the lid, at least one end is provided with a steam introduction path that opens toward the opening of the container body, and a steam cooling path for cooling the steam communicating with the steam introduction path, and the steam. A steam sensor is installed in the middle of the introduction route,
In a state where the opening of the container body is sealed by the lid, the steam introduced from the inner container into the steam introduction path is configured to be detectable by the steam sensor, and is condensed in the steam cooling path. The steam is configured to be recoverable in the inner container,
The lid is
An inner cover that constitutes the lower end of the lid and has an introduction hole for introducing steam from the water surface into the lid.
A lower plate located above the inner cover and supporting the inner cover is provided.
The steam introduction path,
Formed by the space between the inner cover and the lower plate,
An intermediate plate forming a steam detour route is provided between the inner cover and the lower plate.
An electric kettle that features that. A through hole for passing steam is provided in the middle plate.
The electric kettle according to claim 1, wherein at least one introduction hole is arranged at a position where the introduction hole does not overlap with the through hole in a plan view. A steam storage unit capable of storing steam is provided at a position higher than the middle plate inside the lid body.
The electric kettle according to claim 2, wherein the middle plate is provided with a steam opening hole for communicating the steam storage portion and the through hole. The electric kettle according to claim 3, wherein the open end of the steam opening hole to the steam storage portion is provided above the lower end surface of the middle plate. The electric kettle according to claim 3 or 4, wherein a detour wall is provided inside the lid to prevent direct communication between the steam storage portion and the steam introduction path. The middle plate is provided with a downward wall portion projecting toward the inner cover and an upward wall portion projecting toward the lower plate.
The downward wall portion forms a part of the detour route between the inner cover and the middle plate, and the upward wall portion forms a part of the detour route between the middle plate and the lower plate. The electric kettle according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the electric kettle is characterized in that.

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